THE DONATION OF CRUTCHES AND SPECTACLES

Sri Jinendrarama temple at Hiripitiyagama in Anuradhapura district conducts donation of essential equipment every year to needy people in the area. The continuation of this long project has been undertaken by Venerable Kattambuwagama Dhammarathana Thero under the patronage of Venerable Konwewe Ariyarathna Maha Thero, the head of the Sri Jinendraramaya at Hiripitiyagama. As a part of this year’s community work, the organisers have decided to give away spectacles and crutches for desperately needed people which includes elderly and disable citizens whose income are below the poverty line.

Jinendrarama temple is situated in a far distance village of Anuradhapura district where even basic facilities for a Buddhist temple were not available. The sight of Jinendrarama temple is absolutely interesting. The huge Boo tree with branches spread out in all directions provides peaceful shadow for devotees, the white gleaming Dagaba lies adjacent to the Boo tree and the shrine room is reminiscence of Polonnaruwa Gal Vihara. All these sacred buildings sitting on the bank of Hiripitiyagama Lake. The sight awakes the memories of historical heritage of our olden day’s   kings. The residence building for monks is situated on the other side of the main road with magnificent Sanchi Thorana(Pandal), where Kekirawa- Anuradhapura main road lies. These modern development is the result of great perseverance of Venerable Konwewe Ariyarathana Thero, who dedicated his life Dhamma mission at international level. Konwewe Ariyarathna Thero presently residing at London Buddhist in in UK involving his Dhamma mission such as lecturing on the Dhamma and authoring of Buddhist books.

Mr Srilal Dias, the president of the Janahanda Foundation in the UK came forward to sponsor this year’s community works of donating of spectacles and crutches to needy people. Janahanda Foundation is non-profitable organisation that function in the UK to enhance the Srilankan cultural values and Sinhala language. It is a known fact that Janahanda Foundation is the first ever organisation in the UK that raised the voice among Srilankan community and in the London borough of Hounslow to make Sinhala language as a recognised language in dealing with matters in the Hounslow council. Under the guidance of Mr. Srilal Dias, the current president of the organisation has done numerous community services for the benefit of Srilankan community living in the London.

Apart from serving in the UK, Janahanda Foundation has launched a project in SriLanka to provide essential items such as books, computers for non-privileged schools. The organisation has already provided spectacles and crutches to many hundred people in different part of the country.

These pictures show that spectacles and crutches are being donated to the needy people in Hiripitiyagama village with the help of Jinendrarama temple.

By Sugath Senevirathna